Expensive cancer treatments set to become cheaper from today

Two cancer drugs are set to be added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from October 1, allowing more patients to access the treatments.

A fortnightly infusion to treat bladder cancer patients called Bavencio currently costs $5600 but from tomorrow, that will drop dramatically to $42.50 or $6.80 for concession card holders. 

“This is the biggest change we’ve had in a few years in bladder cancer,” Associate Professor David Pook, from Monash Health and Holmesglen Private, said.

“The difference being, using immunotherapy upfront rather than waiting, we can see we can improve survival.”

Ron Jenkins suffers from bladder cancer and found out last year it had spread to his liver.

He was offered chemotherapy and a new treatment – Bavencio.

The infusion is designed to stimulate the immune system to attack cancer.

“It’s proved to be an excellent result for me, with basically clear scans and I’ve got to say from my point of view, quite miraculous,” he said.

For Jenkins, Bavencio has given him a new lease on life, including travelling overseas and spending quality time with his grandchildren.

“(I) was able to basically do anything that most people about 70 years of age will be able to do,” he said.

Jenkins is hopeful now that Bavencio has been added to the PBS it will be affordable and effective for others.

“The fact that it’s worked for me, I’m hopeful it will work well for everybody else,” he said.

Another drug called Opdivo, commonly used for melanoma, is also being subsidised for patients with cancer of the oesophagus or stomach.

It usually costs $92,000 per course but on the PBS it will be slashed to $42.50 and $6.80 for concession card holders.

David Clyne, who suffers from oesophageal cancer, hopes the subsidy will give others the opportunity to access the treatment.

“I think it’s fantastic, anything that gives a person like myself an opportunity to experience a better quality of life through the treatment is worthwhile,” Clyne said.

Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said adding these drugs to the PBS will benefit thousands of cancer sufferers.

“These are particularly deadly cancers with quite low survival rates,” he said.

“We estimate almost 1500 patients per year will benefit from this listing.”